It has been one of the most successful sponsorship deals of the past decade and now Lidl has announced it is extending its partnership with the ladies Gaelic Football Association by another three years.

The original partnership signed in 2016 has delivered an estimated value of €2.5 million to the sport and lifted the profile in a way that could only have been imagined.

A combination of in-store promotion, national advertising and delivery of kit and equipment to hundreds of schools and clubs across the country has resulted in huge growth in interest at all levels and no small part in the world record crowd at last year’s All Ireland Final between Dublin and Mayo.

It was fitting then that the meeting of those same two teams should be the occasion for the announcement of the new deal on Sunday.

The partnership will see a further €3 million investment in the sport and Lidl retaining its position as Official Retail Partner and title sponsors of the Lidl Ladies National Football Leagues.  TG4 will remain in place as title sponsors of the All Ireland Championship.

The extension represents one of the largest investments in female sports by a sponsor in Europe. The reinvestment in the partnership will see Lidl Ireland committing to further #SeriousSupport by introducing various new initiatives and programmes at grassroots level to ensure participants at every level of the game reap the benefits of the retailer’s support.

Since 2016, over €2.5 million has been invested in The Ladies Gaelic Football Association through programmes which include Lidl’s Future Stars, Post Primary Schools and Club competitions which continue to drive awareness of the sport across the country;

“At Lidl we are extremely proud to continue to be the biggest supporter of women’s sport in the country,” said Lidl Ireland Managing Director John Paul Scally.

“When we partnered with the LGFA in 2016, we made a promise to elevate Ladies Gaelic Football to a new level and we feel we have delivered on that promise.”

“Right across the country, our store teams have been blown away by the positive feedback from local schools and clubs we have invested in and recognition for the support we have given to the game.”

“The reinvestment in our partnership with the LGFA will see us invest a total of €5.5 million over a five year period. As a brand, we identify with the association’s ambition and drive and we look forward to supporting and raising further awareness of ladies Gaelic football across the country.”

“We are delighted to confirm this extension with our retail partners and National League sponsors, Lidl Ireland,” added Ladies Gaelic Football Association President Marie Hickey.

“Since first coming on board with us in 2016, they have demonstrated an incredible level of #SeriousSupport, with the benefits of this partnership being felt all the way down to grassroots level.”

“During the term of this agreement, we have reached new milestones as an Association, including reaching a record-breaking attendance on All-Ireland finals day at Croke Park last September. We are now looking forward to further and exciting initiatives with Lidl into the next decade.”


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Image Credit: Billy Stickland, Inpho Photography